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Thursday, March 31, 2011

I first learned about Anthology magazine from the blog of Daphne Osena-Paez, the only local celebrity I worship. When I visited the website and saw the preview videos of the first and second issues (fantastically made stop motion videos!), I knew I had to get my hands on them. Their website is filled with charming and inspiring images. It's a treasure trove of endless design and style inspiration.

A camera made from cardboard.

Some things aren't what they seem...

Pet portraits

A state of chaos has never looked so pretty...

Green apples in a bowl of concrete (as in concrete!). Who knew?

Lightsaber lamp?

I was falling madly in love with the magazine! Unfortunately at first, the subscription was only open to US and Canada residents so I was searching for family who were based there who could help me out.

Thankfully, a little store in Cubao Expo decided to be the local distributor of Anthology magazines, albeit very limited copies. Once I found out about it, I made a mad dash to Cubao Expo to purchase the magazines.

They've come out with just two issues so far and now I have both of them - for a rather steep price.

Now I'm falling even deeper in love with the magazine.

I'm not in a rush to read them, though. For something so precious as these, I tend to wait for the right moment - some alone time at home, a lovely Italian lunch, a weekend brunch, in a quaint coffee shop. Just like a delicately printed vintage cup of tea, these magazines are to be savored as they are read. Reading them isn't akin to reading Harper's Bazaar (my other guilty pleasure); reading them is a lovely experience in itself.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

When I visited Cebu International School two weekends ago, I made small gifts for my former nursery students who are all in kindergarten now (How have they grown!). These were just small, simple gifts to show that I still remember them.

I found a cake slice template on the Internet (forgot already which craft site) and made these...

I used scrapbook paper, my bone folder (to score the edges), and regular glue to seal the edges (I forgot to buy rubber cement). And yes, there is a missing piece. :)

Friday, March 11, 2011

Oops! I did it again! Picture-Perfect Thursday is one day late again! This time, though, I totally forgot to upload the pictures. I had them all ready yesterday morning and then the thought of blogging about them flew out of my mind.

Anyhoo, this week, I pay homage to lovely, lovely, lovely (oh, but they really are that lovely) packaging. I'd buy these if only for the packaging.

These are perfume bottles.

The bottles do the deciding for you.

Pasta noodles in really nice boxes.

This puts the "box" in boom box.

Pure happiness

This just made the panettone even more holiday-ish.

70% chocolate, 30% whimsy

Out came the sneaks

Cork has never looked this nice.

These are - would you believe - wedding invitations. In Greek language, there is a saying that uses the term "hang" instead of "marry." So when the father of the bride says, "I will hang you," it means he will tie you with the bond of marriage.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Last weekend, Hon-some and I took on a trip back to Cebu -- my first visit after leaving it for Manila two years ago. I've made some really good friends there and it was great to be back!

We arrived in Cebu at 6:00 am from a 4:40 am flight (excited much?). I've been wanting to try breakfast at Hebrews at I.T. Park but it was still closed when we arrived so we ate in Jollibee instead. Hahaha! Everyone knows how fast a Jollibee meal can be consumed and with nothing to do until our 12 noon check-in time at our hotel, we hopped over to KFC and ate some more. Teehee! When we were full, we went to Ayala Center Cebu at The Terraces and had coffee and tea at Postrio.

After a heavy breakfast, we had a light lunch after checking in at the hotel and off we went to Cebu International School where I taught for two years to visit friends and former students (read: nursery students). I'm such a...

My Cebu-based friends and I had dinner that night.

We started the following day late and headed to SM Cebu for lunch at Don Merto's. I got a voucher (I'm such a coupon person!) from Buyanihan for a meal worth P600 and paid only P299!

I had the pork ribs while Hon-some had their bacon cheeseburger.

Mixed vegetable soup

Baked potato to go with my pork ribs

Mozzarella bites with marinara sauce. It was almost finished before I remembered to take a shot of it.

After lunch, we headed to Paradise Village to pay my former landlord a visit. Come dinner time, we met up with my Cebu-based cousin at Maya Mexican Restaurant. I have been wanting to eat here. I just had my birthday and I never really planned a big celebration in Manila because I wanted to splurge (it's pricey kasi) at Maya. I got my wish!

The place screams Mexican with its handblown glass candles and Aztec-looking masks. It's run by those who operate Abaca resort.

Group shot before eating!

Quezo Fundido!

Chicken Enchiladas!

Chimichanga with Carne Asada!

Best Mexican food I've ever tasted!!! I'd go back to Cebu as often as I can just to eat in Maya!!! That won't be a problem much longer, though, because Maya will be opening a Manila branch this year! Can't wait!

On our last day, we spent the morning fixing our stuff and purchasing pasalubong...

I think, therefore, I craft.

I'm a full-time preschool teacher and a part-time crafter. I love working with my hands and churning out gifts, treasures, and what-have-you's. I also love traveling to new places, eating - and I eat loads as a rule - reading, and shopping. Having said these, I started this blog to document my craft, travel, gastronomic, literary, and retail adventures. I hope you'll enjoy my craft and lifestyle blog.